Nonprofit Organizations in Vancouver

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and recently recognized as North America’s most international university.

Uno a Uno is an organization that works with local leaders in Ecuador’s underserved communities to provide innovative education, empowering people of all ages to realize their potential and transform their lives.

Urban Ink is a Vancouver-based professional theatre company that produces works by Indigenous and diverse artists. We put the power in the hands of Indigenous and culturally diverse artists to tell their own stories from their own unique voice.

<strong>Our Mission </strong>

Urban Ink uplifts Indigenous and diverse voices through live performance.

<strong>Our Story</strong>

Established in 2001, the company was founded by Métis artist <strong>Marie Clements</strong> as an Indigenous and multi-cultural theatre company and produced over a dozen new works for the mainstage. In 2007, <strong>Diane Roberts</strong> became artistic director, creating new work, touring internationally to the Caribbean, and working in collaboration with rural Indigenous communities. In 2014, Oji-Cree First Nations theatre artist <strong>Corey Payette</strong> became artistic director. Corey is committed to deepening Urban Ink’s strong tradition of developing and investing in the voices of Indigenous and diverse artists to create work that celebrates the diversity of Canadian theatre.

UNYA's focus since its inception in 1988 has been to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth (Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit, First Nations, Status, Non-Status) in the urban setting. Our goal is to be a safe place for Indigenous youth to come and find out about programs and services at UNYA and in the broader community. UNYA strives to support Indigenous youth by providing a diverse continuum of advocacy, preventative and support services that respond to their immediate and long-term needs. Today, UNYA delivers 20+ programs, with 175+ volunteers, 100 staff, and more than 300 community partners.

Located in East Vancouver, Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) is a registered not-for-profit society. UNYA was formed in 1988 to address issues facing Indigenous youth, when growing numbers of young Indigenous people were leaving reserves for the city. Today, approximately 60% of the Indigenous population in Canada lives in urban settings, and 60% of the overall Indigenous population is under the age of 25.

UNYA is the only Indigenous youth hub in the Vancouver area, and currently operates over 20 programs designed to support the immediate and long-term needs of urban Indigenous youth.

VIVO Media Arts Centre (aka Video In Studios / Video Out Distribution) was incorporated in 1973 as the Satellite Video Exchange Society. It operated the first video exchange library, and was one of the earliest international video centres and Canadian artist-run centres. Its founding mandate was to facilitate international information exchange through a public video library. By the early 1980’s the organization evolved to provide access to video equipment, basic workshops, international distribution services, and published print material. In August 2014 we moved to our current location at 2625 Kaslo Street.

VIVO’s mission is to directly support artists and independent community-based producers to develop, exchange, and disseminate their skills in a supportive environment through accessible services and programs.

VOKRA began in 2000 and is a Vancouver based cat rescue. We are a volunteer driven registered non-profit.

<strong>VOKRA's mission</strong> is to end cat overpopulation and cat homelessness.  We rescue, heal, then home cats - first in our network of foster homes, then in carefully matched, loving, forever homes. We are a passionate, volunteer-driven charity with extensive cat care experience. We believe that no-kill is the only responsible approach, that TNR works, and that cats are awesome!

VOKRA’s mission is to end cat overpopulation and homelessness.

We rescue, heal, then place cats - first in our network of foster homes, then in carefully matched, loving, forever homes. We are a passionate, volunteer-driven charity with extensive cat care experience. We believe that no kill is the only responsible approach to rescue, that Trap-Neuter-Return works and that cats are AWESOME!

The VWMS is passionate about supporting young, aspiring B.C. musicians in all classical music disciplines to further their training and education. We award annual scholarships and bursaries and provide each of our award winners the opportunity to develop and perform a program before an appreciative audience.

<b>Scholarships and Bursaries</b>

Operating since 1905 to promote classical music, VWMS began offering scholarships in 1923 and bursaries in 1977. These funds helped many artists as they began their careers including Donald Bell, Jean Coulthard, Barbara Custance, Ben Heppner, Jon Kimura Parker, Jamie Parker, the Chooi brothers (Timothy and Nikki), and Avan Yu.

Our Scholarship competitions are open to musicians between 13 and 30 and operate under three categories - voice, piano and orchestral instruments - with each discipline held every third year. Our yearly bursary competitions are open to students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary music program in any music discipline. Three winners in each competition receive cash awards. All competitions have qualified adjudicators.

<b>Concerts</b>

Our winners plan and perform a one-hour concert program, which is a significant development experience. The young performers have shone and engaged us with wonderful concerts.

VAN EXPO thrives on producing and hosting a series of events, shows and fundraisers in the Greater Vancouver Area. Our mission is to entertain, stimulate and educate the general public on important causes, all while raising awareness, contributions and assistance to charitable organizations.

These events are also a way to open the door of opportunity for local businesses while giving back to the community. Educating the general public doesn’t have to be stressful, VAN EXPO is paving the way for education to be fun and meaningful. This is where entertainment and philanthropy join forces for a unforgettable time.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is a charitable not-for-profit, incorporated under the BC Societies Act.

<em>Our mission is to engage people of all ages and walks of life in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens by virtue of their participation in our programs and services.</em>

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS) is a non profit charitable organization serving the needs of the urban Aboriginal community. VAFCS's mandate is to provide programs and services in health and welfare, social services, human rights, culture, education, recreation and equality for all genders of Aboriginal People of all age groups. VAFCS's hosts, partners and supports many community events throughout the year with Annual Events such as: Family Day, Aboriginal Day, Kids Back to School Back Pack Program, Elders 1 day Bazaar, VAFCS 2 day Craft Fair, Kids Christmas. VAFCS also seeks volunteers to assist with daily activities for the youth, family and elders programs.